Simon’s Guide to Gambling in Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome and Principe, officially the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, is a Portuguese-speaking island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa. It consists of two archipelagos around the two main islands: São Tomé and Príncipe, located about 140 kilometres apart and about 250 and 225 kilometres, respectively, off the northwestern coast of Gabon.

The islands were uninhabited until their discovery by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century. Sao Tome and Principe remained Portuguese colonial territory until 1975.

Gambling in Sao Tome and Principe has only been legalised in 2004. Sources suggest, that earlier, gambling was prohibited on the islands. The gambling act, enacted in 2004 in Sao Tome and Principe established a legal framework for licensing, taxing, controlling and overseeing the casino industry on the islands. According to the legislation, casino licenses can be obtained through tenders. The tax rate can vary in accordance with the conditions laid down in the tender, but it is set to a minimum of 20% on gross gaming profits*.

Online gambling is also mentioned in the legislation, but the regulation only states, that a casino with a land based license shall not offer online gambling platforms under that licence. Foreign operators don’t appear to be regulated and there is also no internet censoring system in place in the country**. It is safe to assume, that players are not in any way restricted to wager on foreign online platforms.

Casino gambling in Sao Tome and Principe

Land based casino gambling is legal and licensed on the islands of Sao Tome and Principe. The only legally operating casino on the islands is the Pestana São Tomé Hotel & Casino.

The land based casinos can’t offer online gambling under their brick & mortar licence in Sao Tome and Principe. However, foreign online gambling platforms don’t seem to be regulated and players form the islands are free to access such sites.

Bingo in Sao Tome and Principe

Online bingo in Sao Tome and Principe: not regulated

The only licensed casino in Sao Tome and Principe doesn’t appear to operate a bingo hall. Nor there is any trace online of a separate bingo hall operating on the islands of Sao Tome and Principe.

Online bingo doesn’t appear to be regulated either. It is safe to assume, that foreign online bingo sites are freely accessible for players from Sao Tome and Principe.

Poker in Sao Tome and Principe

Online poker in Sao Tome and Principe: not regulated

Poker is legal and regulated inside the one licensed casino in Sao Tome and Principe (and will be legal in subsequent ones, if more are built), although the legislation states, that these venues cannot offer online games of chance under their terrestrial licence.

Foreign sites appear to be neither regulated, nor blocked by the Sao Tome and Principe authorities, therefore it is safe to assume, that players from the islands are free to access such sites.

Sports betting in Sao Tome and Principe

Online sports betting in Sao Tome and Principe: not regulated

According to the 2004 legislation, casinos in Sao Tome and Principe are not allowed to operate sports betting, neither online nor offline.

However, foreign online sports books don’t appear to be regulated on the islands. It is, therefore, safe to assume, that there are no restrictions in place that would make it illegal for players from Sao Tome and Principe to place bets with foreign online bookmakers.

Lottery in Sao Tome and Principe

Online lottery in Sao Tome and Principe: not regulated

There appears to be no state lottery on the islands of Sao Tome and Principe. However, there is no indication of any restrictions being in place in the country that would make it illegal for players form the archipelago nation to participate in foreign off-shore lottery draws through the internet.

Bitcoin gambling in Sao Tome and Principe

Bitcoin gambling in Sao Tome and Principe: unregulated

There are no specific restrictions in place regarding the use of Bitcoin or other digital currencies in Sao Tome and Principe. Foreign online gambling platforms also appear to be unregulated. Therefore it is safe to assume, that players from the islands are free to place bets with foreign Bitcoin gambling platforms.

Online gambling websites accepting players from Sao Tome and Principe

Foreign online gambling operators don’t appear to be regulated in Sao Tome and Principe. Therefore, most of the major international operators allow players form the islands to register on their sites.